JOIN USSadguru Murali Krishna has a unique approach to explaining the significance of the Guru and the nature of the Vedas: “The child’s duty is towards the mother while the disciple’s (shishya’s) duty is towards the guru. The mother is always watching the child irrespective of where the child is. Similarly, the Guru is always looking over the disciple, irrespective of whether the student is close by or far away. It is however also up to the child to stay close to the mother. Similarly the student should always stick to the guru, just like the sunflower is always focused towards the sun.”
If the biological mother is responsible for giving us the gift of life, the Guru gives us spiritual rebirth. The intensity of the search determines the kind of Guru you attract. The two are different but for all that, no less valuable: “There is a fundamental difference between the milk (food) given by the mother and the master. The milk that the guru gives is in the form of knowledge and strengthens our sense of discrimination while mother’s milk provides strength, love and compassion. Knowledge here implies the answer to profound questions like: What is purpose of life? Why do we meet certain people? These are certain questions that one needs to introspect upon.
Absence of such knowledge is the root of sins like selfishness. Moksha or salvation can be obtained only if there is internal peace. This peace can only be obtained if one has adequate knowledge, is free from doubt and that is only possible at the feet of the guru. Accordingly, knowledge is essential to attain moksha and to attain this knowledge; we need to understand the four Vedas. Understanding the Vedas is also essential to master the two vedangas (texts that were created to guide us in the understanding of the Vedas) of family life and work.”
Meticulously following the instructions of the Guru is essential. He is one of the four principal Vedas. According to Sadguru Murali Krishna: “To experience the divine faster, one only needs to follow the examples of the great sages and follow the guru’s teachings. The guru accelerates this process of learning and consequent enlightenment.
Among the four entities of mother, father, guru and god, it is the Master who is the most difficult to find. Only if the kingdom (body) and king (atman) are pure, will the guru enter the place or appear to the student. The master then imparts knowledge through mantras (combination of syllables), essential medicines that ensure that only positive thoughts enter and block negative thoughts.” “The student,” Swamiji concludes, “can easily believe the guru but it is not so easy for the guru to trust the student and therefore the guru needs to test the student’s heart and mind.”